Short answer: the Mackie MR524. Both are rated 4.0/5 for sound quality (#33 and #37 of 108 powered bookshelf speakers), and the Mackie MR524 costs $379.98 against $399 for the Audioengine A5+ Classic, and with sound quality even, the cheaper one is the better buy.
The Mackie MR524 is the more accurate, deeper-bass option. A budget studio monitor with decent bass depth, an even midrange, and balanced and RCA inputs. Its measured preference score, a predictor of how neutral it sounds, is 5.11 against 4.59 for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. Its bass reaches about 46.2Hz before falling 3dB, against 68Hz for the Audioengine A5+ Classic. The catch: The measured response trends upward toward the treble by about 0.47dB per octave, which can lend a brighter balance.
The case for the Audioengine A5+ Classic: A simple powered bookshelf pair with fairly balanced sound and no separate amplifier needed. It keeps a wired aux input, which the Mackie MR524 lacks. The catch: The measured -3dB point is around 69Hz, and the upper-bass recession can reduce body in voices and instruments.
Buy the Mackie MR524. Both are rated the same for sound quality, and it costs $19.02 less than the Audioengine A5+ Classic.
Looking for alternatives? See the complete Powered Home rankings.
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Specifications Side By Side
| Mackie MR524 | Audioengine A5+ Classic | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $379.98 per pair | $399.00 per pair |
| Ranked | #33 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers | #37 of 108 in Medium Size Powered Bookshelf Speakers |
| Bass Extension (-3dB) | 46.2Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 68Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Bass Extension (-10dB) | approximately 38Hz (measured, spinorama.org) | 50Hz (measured, Audio Science Review) |
| Drivers | 5-inch polypropylene woofer; 1-inch silk-dome tweeter | 5” Kevlar woofer, 0.75” silk dome tweeter |
| Inputs | Balanced XLR, balanced TRS, RCA | RCA, Aux |
| Amplifier Power | 50W bi-amplified per speaker | 50W RMS / 75W peak |
| Frequency Response | 45Hz-20kHz | 50Hz - 22kHz (+/-1.5dB) (Manufacturer specified) |
| Spinorama Preference Score | 5.11 | 4.59 |
| Spinorama Preference Score with Perfect Sub | 7.06 | 7.06 |
| XLR Input | Yes | No |
| RCA Input | Yes | Yes |
| TRS Input | Yes | No |
| Optical Input | No | No |
| Coaxial Input | No | No |
| USB Input | No | No |
| HDMI Input | No | No |
| AES Input | No | No |
| Aux Input | No | Yes |
| Bluetooth | No | No |
| Dimensions | 11.1” x 7.1” x 8.7” (281 x 180 x 221 mm) (H x W x D) | 10.9”H x 7.2”W x 9.7”D (276.2 x 182.6 x 247.6 mm) |
| Weight | 10.1 lbs (4.6 kg) | 15.4 lbs (7 kg) (left/powered), 9.7 lbs (4.4 kg) (right) |
| App | - | No |
| EQ | - | No |
| DSP | - | No |
| Subwoofer Output | - | Yes |
| Outputs | - | RCA variable output (subwoofer) |
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